Plateau: Dariye Frustrated ACF Intervention - Useni
From Funmi Peter-Omale in Jos
National Vice Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Lt-Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd) has declared that the crises that engulfed Plateau State and led to the imposition of state of emergency could have been averted had the suspended government cooperated with the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).
Useni stated this at the inauguration of the 21 executive members of the Plateau State chapter of the ACF in Jos yesterday.
"We were involved in the Tiv-Jukun crisis. This was possible because the governors of the two states co-operated with us. I remember I was a member of the team that went to see Akuka (of Taraba) and another team that went to see the Tor Tiv (of Benue). Later, we decided to bring them to Kaduna for a meeting."
According to him, aside the meeting with the traditional rulers, the ACF members went to dialogue with the governors of the states involved which resulted into amicable resolution of the crisis.
He lamented that efforts by the northern forum to resolve the recurring Plateau crises were frustrated.
"In the case of Plateau State, unfortunately ACF did not receive co-operation from the state government. We wanted to do the same thing for Plateau. We are a non-governmental organisation. There was nothing we could do; we cannot force ourselves on anybody," he said.
Useni, who is also the Deputy National Chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees disclosed that the organisation possesses the means and people who can move into any crisis situation in the north and permanently restore peace.
He recalled that the people of Wase and Taroh people were called to separate meetings and together a few times with a view to resolving the lingering feud between them.
"But there was no co-operation from the state. We were being abused. We believe that if ACF had been on the ground much earlier, some of the problems we are witnessing in the north today would not have arisen at all. The much needed unity was no longer there," he stressed.
On the recent visit of elders of the state to the President, the former FCT Minister explained that the visit was aimed at thanking the Federal Government for the role it played in restoring peace to the state.
He commended Major-Gen. Chris Alli (rtd) for restoring peace and normalcy gradually.
"So far, unless I am corrected, he has not shown bias to anybody whether religion or tribe or local government. We should put politics aside if we are to be fair to Plateau. That is what prompted us to visit the President. The group cut across religious, tribal and ethnic leanings," he said.
Useni further noted that the group did not solicit the extension of the emergency period in Plateau.
|
